The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, recently felicitated the winners of the fourth edition of the India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC) 2022 in Indore. The ISAC is organised under the Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, and has been running since 2018. There were a number of dignitaries present, including the Madhya Pradesh Governor, the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, and other officials.
During her address, the president expressed her happiness over the increase in the country's overall investment in urban development. She commended the Smart Cities Mission for implementing best practices and developing viable business models. She also highlighted the focus of the G-20 on urban development and the importance of collaboration at the local and global levels for sustainable development.
The President emphasised the significance of Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) in smart cities, which use data to make decisions and strengthen law and order. She called for stronger steps to ensure the safety of women and expressed confidence that the efforts being made in smart cities will benefit other towns and cities in the country.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, shared Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for planned urbanisation and highlighted the achievements of the Smart Cities Mission. He mentioned the innovation and partnerships fostered by the mission, as well as the empowerment of the third level of governance through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).
Shri Puri also mentioned the achievements of the Smart Cities Mission, including the completion of projects worth crores of rupees and the construction of smart roads, classrooms, health centres, and other infrastructure. He praised the city of Indore for its excellence in urban governance and civic participation.The event also saw the release of several documents, including the ISAC awards compendium, a newsletter compendium, a report by UN Habitat, and the ISAC awards brochure for 2023.
The conclave provided a platform for the 100 smart cities to showcase their work and learn from each other's best practices. The event featured an extensive display of award-winning projects, state and city stalls, and project models. It also included dialogues with award-winning city CEOs, which led to stimulating discussions and peer-to-peer learning.
Overall, the India Smart Cities Award Contest and the conclave highlighted the progress and achievements of the Smart Cities Mission in India. The event celebrated the efforts of the cities in implementing innovative solutions and building sustainable urban ecosystems. It also emphasised the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing for the overall and sustainable development of cities in India.
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